Sorry I don't have info on those but I know there's also a small Iwama style school in Arlington under the name Aikido of Arlington, I believe. I'd like to hear what you have to say about these schools. Northern Virginia Aikido is run by one of Saotome's students, right? Never heard of the Woodbridge Aikido Club.

Yes, the school is called Aikido of Arlington. It is in a busy area during rush hour.

>Northern Virginia Aikido is run by one of Saotome's studentsYes, from what I read from their site.

After not doing MA for 27 years, I will probably stick with the Tang Soo Do and Danzan_Ryu for now. I don't care for the hard style, always done empty hand, but sparring is nice in the class with Tang Soo Do. We spar with the kickboxers (split class) in the Tang Soo Do.

Probably in the Spring I will move over to Northern Virginia Aikido and still keep Danzan_Ryu.

I just don't understand the emphasis on the obtaining of belts. When I was learning, ages ago, your were either white or black (student, teacher, or master). The senseis of each school, not Aikido group, don't quite understand that the learning is the elightenment. They talk about their Zen roots but I don't think they really understand the Zen concepts. O'well.